Sony Int'l TV Appoints Root

Sony Pictures Television International is growing its international production group with the appointment of industry veteran Antony Root to oversee SPTI's production operations in Europe, it was anno

(The Hollywood Reporter) -- Sony Pictures Television International is growing its international production group with the appointment of industry veteran Antony Root to oversee SPTI's production operations in Europe, it was announced April 14. Taking the title of senior VP of international production, Europe, Root will be based in London.

A native of the United Kingdom, Root was president of Los Angeles-based Granada Entertainment U.S.A. until 2003. He remained in Los Angels as a successful independent producer and consultant -- and co-chair of the British Academy of Film and Television -- after departing Granada.

His appointment was announced jointly by Steve Kent, SPTI's senior executive VP of international production, and John McMahon, SPTI's senior executive VP and managing director, Europe. Root will report to both executives.

Root is an award-winning television and film producer with experience developing and producing properties for leading U.K. and U.S. television networks such as ABC, A&E, the BBC, Fox, Channel Four, Five, ITV, Showtime, TNT, USA Network and VH1. He most recently served as executive producer on pilots for VH1 and ABC as well as the 2004 USA Network original series "Touching Evil."

He was previously head of drama at Granada Television in London from 1997-98, where he oversaw such series as "The Grand" and "Far From the Madding Crowd." From 1999 to 2000, he was based in Los Angeles as head of international drama and senior VP of movies and miniseries for Granada Entertainment USA. In 2000, he was promoted to president of Granada Entertainment USA where he supervised many series pilots and television movies

Prior to Granada, from 1994 to 1996, he was head of drama at Thames Television in London.